Classic swing jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
Among the many styles of jazz, swing jazz is especially groovy.
While each piece has its own distinctive features, swing tends to blend easily with contemporary music, and it continues to evolve today in forms like electro-swing.
This time, we’ve picked out works renowned as classic masterpieces of swing jazz! Even those unfamiliar with jazz will recognize many of these famous tunes, making them great for beginners.
Of course, we’ve also included some lesser-known gems, so jazz enthusiasts won’t want to miss this either!
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Swing jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular songs (11–20)
Baby Don’t Tell on MeCount Basie and his Orchestra
Count Basie, a great jazz musician from the United States.
He was an outstanding pianist and also a bandleader.
Alongside Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller, he was one of the great artists who supported swing jazz and big band music.
For those who want to explore some of his lesser-known works, I recommend “Baby Don’t Tell on Me.” It’s swing jazz where you can also enjoy soulful vocals.
SwingmatismJay McShann
The classic “Swingmatism,” a jazz standard with enduring popularity.
The original was composed by William Scott and features Charlie Parker—affectionately known as Bird.
This time, we’ve picked a performance by Jay McShann, who was active as both a jazz pianist and vocalist.
While swing jazz often tends toward cheerful pieces, this arrangement stands out for its distinctly mature mood.
I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With MeBenny Carter
Jimmy McHugh, an American composer who produced a great many masterpieces from the 1920s through the 1950s.
Cheerful yet tinged with a certain cool sophistication, his “I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me,” written in 1926, is one of his most famous hits.
Since the charm of this piece lies in the alto saxophone, this time we’ve chosen an arrangement by the great alto saxophonist Benny Carter.
Body and SoulColeman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins, a jazz saxophonist from Missouri.
His “Body and Soul” was released by him in 1996.
While the release itself makes it seem like a relatively recent track from the 1990s, it was reportedly recorded between 1938 and 1956.
The real charm of this piece is its calm swing jazz feel.
With its downcast melody, it’s perfectly suited as background music for dinner.
Be sure to give it a listen.
Rug Cutter’s SwingFletcher Henderson
Fletcher Henderson, a composer who brought numerous great jazz musicians to the world—such as Louis Armstrong, affectionately known as “Satchmo,” and jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins—is arguably one of the most important figures in the history of swing jazz.
He created many swing jazz standards.
Among them, Rug Cutter’s Swing, while not widely known, is highly regarded among jazz enthusiasts as a polished work packed with the essence of swing jazz.
Swing That MusicLouis Armstrong
When people think of swing jazz, many imagine cheerful performances.
Of course, that’s one of its charms, but vocals are also a key appeal of swing jazz.
Sung by Louis Armstrong—who gained worldwide popularity with “What a Wonderful World”—the song “Swing That Music” is a perfect match of swing jazz’s lively sound with his warm, distinctive vocals.
Swing jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular songs (21–30)
Little Brown JugWil Salden & Glenn Miller Orchestra
“Little Brown Jug” is a work by Joseph Eastburn Winner, a musician from Philadelphia, USA.
The performance is by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Wil Salden, recorded live in Altenburg, Thuringia, Germany.